Chapter 49 : Chapter 49
Chapter 49. Breaking Through to the Third Meridian!
That afternoon, inside the quiet chamber.
[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Mastery 82%), Stone Platform Stance (Major Mastery 97%), Benlei Fist (Minor Mastery 31%)]
[Aptitude: 11 (Extraordinary Bone Structure)]
“Now I am at the very peak—just one step away!”
Xu Yuan glanced at the panel’s progress, then prepared all the medicinal treasures, intending to break through the Third Meridian bottleneck in one decisive effort today.
He lowered his stance, slowly sinking his body as his Qi and blood began to circulate, repeatedly striking against the already cracked bottleneck of the Chong Meridian.
When his Qi and blood circulation grew weak, he consumed Vein-Nourishing Powder and a Blood-Activating Pill. Before long, he recovered and launched another assault.
Again and again, in continuous cycles, Xu Yuan immersed himself completely in the fine control of the Qi and blood within his body.
Gradually, the light inside the quiet chamber dimmed, leaving only the faint flicker of a lamp, illuminating a resolute face.
Time slipped by.
Soon, evening arrived.
“This is the moment…”
Xu Yuan suddenly opened his eyes and swallowed another portion of medicinal treasure. His Qi and blood surged at high speed as he launched his fiercest charge yet.
Pop—
At last, with a faint sound, the gateway of the Chong Meridian burst open. Qi and blood surged through without the slightest obstruction. At that instant, three meridians became fully connected in a complete cycle.
The Third Meridian realm—achieved!
[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Mastery 82%), Stone Platform Stance (Perfection 1%), Benlei Fist (Minor Mastery 31%)]
[Aptitude: 14 (Extraordinary Bone Structure)]
Xu Yuan opened the panel and saw that, as expected, the Stone Platform Stance had reached Perfection.
Correspondingly, his aptitude had increased by three points. The change was significant, though the evaluation remained the same.
Closing his eyes, Xu Yuan carefully experienced the transformation. After a moment, he slowly opened them and looked ahead.
His first impression was that the world had become clearer. His mind felt sharper, and things he had previously struggled to understand in cultivation now became instantly comprehensible. Even knowledge buried deep in his memory surfaced effortlessly when recalled.
Beyond that, his Qi and blood had grown far more vigorous and abundant, and his physique had strengthened considerably.
“As expected, each meridian is like crossing a mountain. The saying is true… The Third Meridian is another complete transformation compared to the Second Meridian!”
With the rise in his cultivation, he would soon be promoted to a three-striped retainer. His base monthly salary would increase to five taels, and his living conditions would also improve.
Beyond the three-striped retainer was the four-striped steward. Only at that level could one truly be considered respectable.
“However, now that my Qi and blood are much stronger, the consumption of medicinal resources will also increase. Just as Uncle Zhao said, it will be hard to keep monthly expenses below ten taels of silver.”
At this thought, even though Xu Yuan still had considerable savings, he could not help but click his tongue. It was truly expensive.
Fortunately, his breakthrough in cultivation was real. The money spent could always be earned back—and now, Xu Yuan had the ability to do so.
“Now that I have broken through to the Third Meridian, the pressure from Liu Yue is much smaller. As for Quan Xiong…”
Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes as he thought,
“If there is an opportunity, I will try to deal with him. If not, I will wait until I reach the Fourth Meridian. By then, there should be no obstacles left.”
Having sorted out his thoughts, Xu Yuan stretched his neck. His muscles felt slightly sore from the exertion. He then walked out of the quiet chamber.
Above him, a full moon—large as a millstone—cast a pale, frost-like glow, illuminating the ground at his feet.
Xu Yuan raised his hand and made a loose grasp, as if he could seize a fragment of moonlight within his palm.
…
The next day.
On the training ground.
“Brother Xu, truly impressive for one so young. Just a few months ago, you became a Formal Martial Artist under my supervision. In the blink of an eye, you have already reached the Third Meridian—just like me.”
Zhao Qiusheng looked at Xu Yuan, his face filled with emotion. After hearing the news of Xu Yuan’s breakthrough, he had personally come to congratulate him.
Now, his attitude toward Xu Yuan was completely different. He no longer addressed him as “Little Xu,” but as “Brother Xu,” clearly shifting from a senior’s stance to treating him as an equal.
With a wave of his hand, Zhao Qiusheng presented a congratulatory gift of five taels of silver, clearly intending to further strengthen their relationship.
Xu Yuan understood his intentions and did not refuse. After thanking him, he returned to the training ground.
Not long after, Feng Xiao also arrived. He looked somewhat awkward, hesitating as he spoke, “Xu…”
On the martial path, strength determined seniority. Rank was based purely on power.
Thus, it was not uncommon to see elderly men with graying hair bowing to young people.
After all, only strength granted authority.
Because of their somewhat special relationship—half teacher, half friend—Feng Xiao could naturally lower himself before other Third Meridian martial artists.
But Xu Yuan’s progress had been so rapid that he had not yet adjusted mentally. He did not know what attitude he should adopt.
“Instructor Feng, you have always treated me like a junior. There is no need for such formalities. Let things remain as they were before,” Xu Yuan said with a smile, immediately understanding his predicament.
In his heart, Feng Xiao and Zhao Qiusheng were different. The former treated others with sincerity and generosity, whether in material support or information, while the latter’s interactions were driven more by self-interest.
This difference naturally led Xu Yuan to respond with different attitudes.
“Good, good!”
Seeing that Xu Yuan’s attitude had not changed in the slightest, Feng Xiao revealed a relieved expression. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly took out five taels of silver somewhat awkwardly and said with a smile,
“By the way, your breakthrough to the Third Meridian is a great event. This silver…”
“Then I will accept it. Thank you, Instructor Feng.”
Before he could finish, Xu Yuan had already taken the money with a smile, without the slightest pretense of politeness.
Feng Xiao felt quite gratified at this, with no trace of displeasure, because their relationship remained unchanged.
“In that case, I will take my leave. I do not wish to disturb you. Many people will surely come to congratulate you today.”
Knowing that Feng Xiao did not want to trouble him, Xu Yuan personally escorted him out of the outer courtyard of Section Ding.
Soon after, other martial instructors somehow heard of Xu Yuan’s breakthrough. One after another, they arrived with gifts to offer their congratulations.
In truth, Xu Yuan had only told Zhao Qiusheng and Feng Xiao.
However, those who caught wind of the news came on their own initiative, unwilling to risk offending him.
After all, as the saying goes: When a banquet is held, one may not remember who came—but one always remembers who did not.
Amid the steady flow of visitors, Xu Yuan encountered someone unexpected—Liu Yue.
“Instructor Xu, the moment I heard that you had broken through to the Third Meridian, I came immediately. Congratulations!”
Liu Yue said with a cheerful smile, also presenting a congratatory gift of three taels of silver.
When he first heard the news, he had been extremely shocked. Not long ago, Xu Yuan had only reached the Second Meridian, which already marked him as a genius. He had not expected to have underestimated him so greatly.
The Second Meridian was still considered a lower level.
But reaching the Third Meridian placed one on equal footing. At that level, relationships could not be handled carelessly. Moreover, Liu Yue worried that Xu Yuan might still remember their past frictions, so he had hurried over to smooth things over.
As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. Xu Yuan responded with polite courtesy.
“You are too kind. It is an honor to have you visit, Steward Liu.”